MOBILE phone mast protesters got many of the replies they were hoping for when they called at Burnley Town Hall to express their concern at possible health dangers.

Council leader Stuart Caddy promised a policy review.

He told Dennis Cannon, chairman of the action group Together Against Masts that he would be involved in those discussions.

About 30 members and supporters of the recently-formed action group gathered on the Town Hall steps and lobbied councillors before the start of last night's council meeting.

Mr Cannon and Julie Ellison, who with colleagues has stopped a mast being erected on the Benefits Agency offices at Brun House, both addressed the meeting.

Mr Cannon said his group members were passionately concerned about the proliferation of mobile phone masts.

There was considerable scientific evidence from research throughout the world showing real danger to human health from the low frequency microwaves emitted from the towers constantly throughout each and every day.

in the USA base stations were completely banned in some states and in those that allowed them masts must be no closer than 250 m from a residential property.

He asked: "Why is it unsafe to have them close to residences in the United States and yet perfectly safe to place them anywhere in this country?" If satellites were used there would be no need for base stations at all. "I seems we are being exposed to unnecessary risk to save money by the phone companies," he added.

Mr Cannon urged the council to adopt a user friendly policy following the American rules.

Julie asked the council to tighten up planning policy and not to allow masts on council land or buildings in urban areas.

Both speakers were applauded by both protesters in the public gallery and by councillors.

Several councillors spoke of their concerns about possible health dangers from the masts and pointed out that three applications had been refused for various reasons the previous day.

Coun Caddy said he had asked for a look at council planning policy about masts to be put on top of the agenda.

He said: "We don't know what the health risks are." He told the protesters: "We are listening. I cannot give you any guarantees but I can assurance you we will take it on board. I know there are genuine concerns and that the majority of councillors feel the same way."